Signal-box having local alarm.



F. W. COLE.

SIGNAL BOX HAVING LOCAL ALARM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 2]. 1915.

1,22%.0'72. Patented Apr. 24,1917.

2 SHEETSSHEET l.

F. W. COLE.

SIGNAL BOX HAVING LOCAL ALARM.

APPLICATLON FILED APR. 21, 1915.

1,224,.@?%. Patented Apr. 24, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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nnrrnn snares PAEENT FREDERICK W. COLE, OF NE\VTON HIGHLANDS, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO GAME- WELL FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SIGNAL-BOX HAVING LOCAL ALARM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 24., 1917.

Application filed April 21, 1915. Serial No. 22,939.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK W. COLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newton Highlands, in the county of MiddleseX and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in SignaLBoXes Having Local Alarms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to signal-boxes of the variety commonly known as keyless boxes, and has for one of its objects, the provision of means whereby a local-alarm or bell is sounded at the box concurrent with the actuation of the bolt for the boxdoor, to admit of the opening of the door when the local-alarm mechanism is released, or while it is operating.

In carrying out this feature of my invention, a controlling-means is provided for the local-alarm mechanism and bolt-mechanism,

which is arranged to control the starting of the local-alarm mechanism and the operation of the bolt-mechanism at the same time.

Another object of the invention is the control of both the local-alarm mechanism and bolt-mechanism, in such manner that one will not be controlled to the exclusion of the other.

In carrying out this feature of my invention a controlling-means common to both mechanisms, is employed, as for instance, for simplicity of construction, the said means may consist of a single member arranged to accomplish both results.

Another object of the invention is the production of means, whereby the local-alarm mechanism and bolt-mechanism, when once started'to operate, are both entirely out of the control of the operator.

In carrying out this feature of my invention, provision is made whereby the controlling-means, when. moved to start or cause the starting of the local-alarm mechanism and bolt mechanism, will act to lock the operating-member or handle, and will hold the same locked until the controllingmeans resumes its normal position at the end of the operation.

Another object of the invention is the utilization of the actuating-spring of the local-alarm mechanism as the motive power to operate the bolt-mechanism.

In carrying out this feature of my invention, the common controlling-means for both mechanisms is arranged to be operated'by the local-alarm mechanism, upon the initial movement thereof, thereby to operate the bolt-mecnanism, and provision is made for admitting of such movement.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means, whereby positive actuation of the controlling-means or member for both mechanisms is obtained in both directions. v

In 'carrying out this feature of my inven tion, holding-means is provided for the controlling-means arranged to hold it positively at all times; and said holding-means is composed of cooperating holding-members, which, when in one position with respoctto each other, will hold the controllingmeans or member in its normal position, and when in another position with respect to each other, will hold said controlling-means or member in its abnormal position, said holding-members being movable independently of each other for the accomplishment of this result, but acting at all times conjointly.

Another object of the invention, is the provision of means for controlling the operation of said holding-means, whereby the controlling-member is positively held in its normal position, and is positively moved into its abnormal position to effect the starting of both mechanisms, and is so held while both mechanisms are operating, and is subsequently returned to normal position at the end of said operations.

In carrying out this feature of my invention, one member of the holding-means is arranged for operation by the winding-device, and the other member is arranged for operation by the local-alarm mechanism, and one of saidholding-members is arranged to be moved independently of the other by the winding-device, while the actuating-spring of the local-alarm mechanism is being wound, and the other holding-member is arranged to be moved independently of the aforesaid member by the local-alarm mechanism during the time said mechanism is operating.

Another object of my invention is to allow the manual operation of the winding handle to positively operate the door-bolt to unlock the door even though the actuating-spring of the localalarm mechanism is broken, or, if for any. reason the localalarm mechanism does notautomatically start.

In carrying out this feature, the parts are so arranged that when the handle has been turned far enough to release the bolt and op erating device, it can be moved farther, and cause positive operation of the local-alarm mechanism to a limited extent, until the bolt is positively thrown thereby into unlocking position.

These several objects and also other features are all involved in the apparatus here shown, which apparatus comprises essentially a local-alarm mechanism and a winding-device for it, and a detent arranged for holding the local-alarm mechanism at rest while the winding-device is being operated, which detent subsequently holds the winding-device at rest while the local-alarm mechanism is operating, and an arm connected to and movable with said detent, which is arranged for throwing the bolt of the box-door into open position. Said detent is normally held in engagement with the local-alarm mechanism, but movement thereof is permitted when the actuatingspring of said mechanism has been wound a predetermined amount, thereby to disengage said mechanism, and said detent when thus moved to disengage said mechanism is movable into engagement with means associated with the winding-device, thereby to check further movement thereof, and also to hold it in the position it occupies at such time, while the local-alarm mechanism is operating, whereupon said detent is caused to resume its normal position, and both movements of said detent are positively governed by means associated with the local-alarm mechanism and with the winding-device, which are arranged for cooperation.

Figure 1 is a central longitudinal vertical section of a fire-alarm signal-box equipped with mechanism embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 shows an enlarged elevation of the local-alarm mechanism with the controllingmeans of my present invention in cooperative relation therewith and with the boltmechanism of the box-door, the parts being in their normal positions.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, the parts being in the positions they will occupy when the bolt is thrown into open position.

Fig. 4 is a detail, in plan, of the boltmechanism.

Figs. 5 and 6 are views of the controllingmeans and holding-members therefor, and parts of the local-alarm mechanism and winding-device.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the windingdevice, actuating-spring, and a part of the local-alarm mechanism.

The local-alarm mechanism and windingdevice for the actuating-spring of said mechanism, here shown, are substantially the same as shown in my application 22,288, filed April 19, 1915.

The box-case indicated at 1- contains a signaling-mechanism of any well-known or suitable construction, which is arranged in a case Said signaling-mechanism has usual electric terminals 3, and a projecting pull 4, adapted to engage it or control its actuation by being pressed downward.

The local-alarm mechanism, bolt-mechanism, winding-device, the controlling-means of the present invention, are shown as mounted on the inside of the door 5 of the box-case 1, and are operated by a handle 6 or some equivalent form of actuator. The handle 6 is fixed on a short shaft 7, see Fig. 7, which is journaled in front and back plates 8 and 9, respectively, these plates constituting the supporting frame-work, and

being rigidly held in spaced-apart relation by spaced-apart posts or pins. The shaft 7 has fixed thereon a drum 11, having a flange 12 provided with a series of recesses, forming ratchet shoulders 13, see Fig. 5, said recesses being equally spaced around its circumference for the engagement therewith of a pawl 24:, pivoted to the frame at 25, and adapted to prevent backward rotation, and permit forward rotation of said drum. Within the drum 11 is arranged a strong coiled spring 23, having its outer end fixed to a hub 14, which is loosely supported on the shaft 7 This spring serves as the actuating-spring for the local-alarm mechanism, and the drum-shaft and handle serve as the winding-device therefor. The spring is wound by a turning movement of the handle in a clockwise direction and the winding movement is completed when the pawl falls back of one of the shoulders. The hub 14, which is arranged on the shaft 7, has a radial web 15, which carries at its periphery .a spur gear-rim 16, here shown as laterally ofiset toward the drum 11, but it may be otherwise constructed. The teeth 17 of said spur-gear engage and drive a pinion S7 journaled in the frame-work, the shaft of which bears an escape-wheel 36 with which cooperates a pallet 39, to which is attached an arm 40 of a bell-hammer, which is adapted to strike a gong 41. Said spring 23, and hub to which its inner end is connected, and spur-gear, pinion, escapewheel, pallet, bell-hammer and gong constitute the local-alarm mechanism, which is here shown for the purpose of illustrating one embodiment of my invention; and it will be noted that as the windingdevice, before described, is connected with the outer end of the spring 23, said spring will be wound for the purpose of accumulating power, which will be subsequently expended from the inner end of the spring for operating the localalarm mechanism. The inside of the rim 16, or equivalent member, which is associated with the local-alarm mechanism, is formed with notches or recesses 18, see Fig. 6, two being here shown, which are oppositely disposed, said recesses having at one side substantially radial walls 19, and at the other side inclined walls 20. The recesses 18 are of a suflicient depth to receive a detent 21, extending laterally from a detent-carrying arm 22, which is pivoted at 26 to the frame-work, and said detent normally occupies a position in one of said recesses, thereby to hold the local-alarm mechanism at rest, and when moved out of the recess which it occupies. will permit operation of said local-alarm mechanism. Said detent is also arranged to prevent forward movement of the windingdevice when the actuating-spring has been wound a predetermined amount, and while the local-alarm mechanism is operating. For the accomplishment of this result a diskmember 29 is loosely mounted on the hub 14, next the web 15, and has opposite notches or recesses 30, which have at one side radial walls 31, and at the other side inclined walls 32, said recesses corresponding to the recesses 18. The recesses 30, like the recesses 18, are of a sufficient depth to receive the aforesaid detent 21. Said disk-member, as here shown, is arranged in the plane of the recessed gear-rim, and is of a diameter to fit loosely within said rim, so that the detent 21 may pass out of a recess in one and into a recess in the other as they are moved relatively to each other, thereby engaging the rim when in one position, and the diskmemher when in the other position. The diskmember 29 is arranged for operation by the winding-device, being associated therewith, and, as here shown, it has a short arcuate slot 33, arranged concentrically at one side of its center, which receives a pin 34 extended from the drum 11, and as the drum is turned, with the exception of the lost motion due to the length of said slot 33, said diskmember will be correspondingly turned. The turning movement of said disk-member relative to the gear by the winding-device is limited by the long arcuate slot 35, arranged concentrically at the other side of its center. which receives a pin 36, extended inward. from the web 15, of the gear 16, and said slot also limits the turning movement of the gear 16 independently of the disk-member by its actuating-spring. Connected to move with the detent-carrying arm 22, but spaced laterally therefrom, is a long arm 50, having its extremity arranged for engagement with a pin 51, extended laterally from a. bolt or bar 52, arranged to slide horizontally in bearings on the plate 9. Said sliding bar has connected with it, a pivoted latch 53, which is designed for engagement with any usual striker 5 1. The arm 50 moves said sliding-bar in one direction against the action of a spring 55, and said bar is returned by said spring when pen mitted. Said sliding member may and preferably is also arranged to be moved by a key, when desired, and, as here shown, a shaft 57, having a projection 58, is provided, said projection being arranged to engage a shoulder 011 the sliding barmember, and said shaft is spring-controlled as usual and adapted to be engaged by a suitable key. It will be noted that arm 50 and the arm 22, bearing the detent, serve as the controllingmeans or member of the bolt-mechanism and of the local-alarm mechanism, whereby the operations of said mechanisms are simultaneously controlled and also of the winding-device, whereby the winding-device and local-alarm mechanism are alternately held at rest while the other is free for operation.

It will now be understood that in opera tion, as the winding shaft 7 is turned in a clockwise direction by the handle 6, the spring 23 will be wound from its outer end by the drum 11, while its inner end is held by the stationarily held hub 14. The hub 141 and gear-rim 16 rigid therewith, are held stationarily at this time by engagement of the detent 21, with the inclined wall 20 of one of the notches 18 on said gear-rim, the extremity of said detent being here shown as correspondingly inclined on the side that cooperates with said wall 20. The detent 21 is held from the tendency, which the inclined wall 20 under the action of spring 23 would normally have, to move it out of holding position, by the periphery of the diskmembcr 29, which engages under detent 21 and holds it up into the notch 18, an adjacent recess 30 in said disk-member 29 being just past said detent in the normal position of the parts. The disk-member thus serves as a holding-member for holding the detent in its normal position in engagement with the gear-rim, to hold. the local-alarm mecha nism at rest while the spring is being wound. During the winding or turning movement of the winding-device, the pin 34 on drum 11 first moves lengthwise of the slot 33, and on arriving at the end of said slot picks up the disk-member, which latter then turns with it through the main part and the rest of the winding movement. In the winding movement the then-stationary pin 36 is traversed through the long slot of the disk member 29. As soon as the winding-stem has been turned a predetermined distance to wind the spring a predetermined amount, shown in the present embodiment as a half revolution, and just as the pawl 2% drops in behind the second of the ratchet-shoulders 13, the turning of the disk-member 29 brings a recess 30 thereof opposite or beneath the detent 21, which latter is then caused to move into said recess 30 by the cam action of the inclined wall 20 under the pressure of the spring 23, as well as by the continued manual operation of the winding handle as the end of the long slot 35 of the disk member, then being carried by the windinghandle, will engage the pin 36 and will carry the gear-wheel forward far enough to positively move the detent 21 out of the notch of the flange, even though the main spring was broken at the time that access to the box was desired. As the detent 21 is pressed down into the notch 30 the said gear-rim is released and permitted to rotate, and the local-alarm mechanism, of which it forms a part, is caused to operate under the action of the spring 23. When the detent is pressed into the notch 30 and as the gear-rim rotates, said detent will then be positively held in said notch 30 by the inner face of the gear rim passing over it, and will continue to be so held while the gear-rim is turning independently of the disk-member, so that said gear-rim serves as a holding-member for holding said detent in engagement with the winding-device, and thereby holding said winding-device at rest while the local-alarm mechanism is operating. Also the swinging movement of the detent-carrying arm 22 by the passing of detent 21 from engagement with the gear-rim into engagement with the disk-member, operates the arm 50 to move the sliding-bolt and withdraw the latch, permitting the opening of the box-door. It is to be particularly noted at this point that the operation of the sliding-bolt by the mem ber 50, is absolutely dependent on, and necessarily substantially simultaneous with the release of the local-alarm mechanism, by the moving of the detent 21 out of locking engagement with the gear-rim 16, although said detent and arm are not moved sutfi ciently for the arm to operate the sliding bolt until the local-alarm mechanism actually starts, or the winding device has been moved to complete its winding movement.

Thus the sliding-bolt is moved and the local-alarm is sounded by the unwinding of spring 23, until the gear-rim 16 has turned approximately a half revolution, the detent 21 in the meantime, being held ,within the notch 30 of disk-member 29. Then just before the approaching notch 18 of the then rotating gear-rim 16, comes opposite the detent 21, the pin 36 arrives at the end of the slot 35, and picks up the disk-member 29, turning it so that the inclined wall 32 of notch 30, in which the detent has been resting, forces said detent out of said notch 30 and into the notch 18, just as said notch 18 comes opposite said notch 30; it will be noted'that the end-portion of detent 21, engaged by the wall 32 in this operation is inclined to facilitate this action. The pin 36 is so disposed relative to the notches 18 and 30, that the detent 21 is pressed up fully into the notch 18, and comes to rest against its inclined wall 20, just after the inclined wall 32 has pressed the detent entirely out of notch 30, so that it rests flat upon the adjacent periphery of disk-member 29, as seen at Fig. 2; the slot 33 being of suflicient extent to permit the requisite movement of pin 34 in order that this movement may'take place. Thus the cycle of operation is completed and the parts are ready for another winding of the spring by turning the stem 7 It will be particularly noted that the arrangement of parts as described, is such that the local-alarm cannot be caused to sound until the handle has been turned far enough to wind the spring and move the controlling-means, to operate the sliding-bolt, and on the other hand, the sliding-bolt cannot be moved except by the key, unless the local-alarm mechanism is released whereupon the local-alarm is caused to sound. This is on account of the positive intercontrol between the common controlling-member, which directly actuates the sliding-bolt, and the stop-shoulders on gearrim 16, and its cooperative disk-member 29. Further, after the shaft 7 has been turned to wind the spring enough so that the detent 21 is displaced and the gear-rim 16 is released to start the local-alarm mechanism, both. the operation of the local-alarm mechanism and the movement of the sliding-bolt are entirely automatic and wholly out of control of the operator; so that both the local-alarm will be sounded and the sliding-bolt will necessarily be operated, and thereafter the parts will be automatically reset for another operation without possibility of meddling or interference by an ignorant or mischievous operator.

I claim 1. A signal-box having a bolt-mechanism, a local-alarm mechanism, means for placing said local-alarm mechanism under tension with a tendency to operate, lockingmeans for the local-alarm mechanism which is adapted to serve as the actuatingmeans for the bolt-mechanism, to bring about the operation of both concurrently, when actuated, and means for actuating said lockingmeans by the means that places the localalarm mechanism under tension.

2. A signal-box having a boltmechanism, a local-alarm mechanism, manually operable means for placing an element of said localalarm mechanism under tension with a tendency to operate the same, locking-means for the local-alarm mechanism which is adapted to serve as the actuating-means for the bolt-mechanism, whereby as the localalarm mechanism is released the bolt-mechanism is operated simultaneously, and means for moving said locking-means having provision to be actuated by said manually operable means. 7

3. A signal-box door having a bolt-mechanism, a local-alarm-mechanism having an the bolt-mechanism which is the lockingmeans for the local-alarm mechanism, and means connected for actuation by said handle to simultaneously release the local-alarm mechanism and to operate the bolt-mechanism to unlock the door.

l. A signal-box having a bolt-mechanism, a spring-mechanism, local-alarm mechanism, a Winding-device for the spring, and a common controlling-member normally arranged for locking the local-alarm mechanism, and adapted to be moved to release the local-alarm mechanism upon operation of the winding-device and also adapted to be moved by the Winding-device to operate the bolt-mechanism at the end of a Winding movement. I

5. A signal-box having a bolt-mechanism, a spring-mechanism, local-alarm mechanism a Winding-device for the spring, and a common controlling-member normally arranged for locking the local-alarm mechanism, and adapted to be moved to release the local-alarm mechanism upon operation of the Winding-device and also adapted to be moved by the Winding-device to operate the bolt-mechanism at the end of a Winding movement, said controlling-means being also adapted for operation by a cooperative part of the local-alarm mechanism When the Winding-device has been moved a predetermined distance.

6. A signal-box having a bolt-mechanism having an actuating-member, a local-alarm having a spring-motor equipped With an operating-handle, a detent-arm arranged to govern said spring-motor and havmg an operating-member for the bolt-mechanism controlled thereby, and means under the control of said handle for permitting movement of said detent-arm to actuate the actu ating-member by the spring-motor as it moves to sound the local-alarm, substantially as described.

7. A signal-box having a bolt-mechanism having an actuating-member, a spring actuated local-alarm mechanism having a shaft equipped With an operating handle, and a movable detent-member adapted to control the operation of the local-alarm mechanism and having an element for operating sald actuating-member, said member being ar ranged for operation and control by a cooperative part of said local-alarm mechanism When the operating handle has been turned a predetermined distance, substantially as described.

8. A signal-box having a bolt-mechanism having an actuating-member, a spring-actuated local-alarm mechanism having a shaft equipped with an operating handle, and a movable detent-member adapted to control the operation of the local-alarm mechanism and having an element for operating said actuating-member, said member being arranged for operation and control by a cooperative part of said local-alarm mechanism When the operating -handle has been turned a predetermined distance, and also adapted to be operated by the operating handle at the end of the Winding movement.

9. A signal-boX having a bolt-mechanism, a local-alarm mechanism, a common operating-means adapted to cause both said mechanisms to be set in operation by a single manipulation thereof, and means for temporarily disabling said operating-means from the control of said bolt-mechanism and said localalarm mechanism While they are operating, substantially as described.

10. A signal-box having a bolt-mechanism, a local-alarm mechanism, a common operating-means adapted to cause both said mechanisms to be set in operation by a single manipulation thereof, and means for temporarily disabling said operatingmeans from the control of said bolt-mechanism and said local-alarm mechanism While they are operating, said means being arranged for automatic re'e'ngagement to permit control of the bolt-mechanism and the localalarm mechanismby said operating-means for the next operation thereof, substantially as described.

11. A signal-box having a bolt-mechanism, a local-alarm mechanism, manual operating-means for bringing about the actuation of both said mechanisms, means for disabling said operating-means from control of said mechanisms after the operation thereof is initiated, said means having provision for reengagement With said mechanisms to control the same for a succeeding operation, substantially as described.

12. A signal-box having a bolt-mechanism, a spring actuated local-alarm mechanism having a manually operated shaft for Winding the spring thereof, means for releasing said local-alarm mechanism for operation after a predetermined amount of Winding of its spring and simultaneously effecting an actuation of the bolt-mechanism, and means for holding said manually operated shaft disabled from control of said local-alarm mechanism and also of the boltmechanism as said mechanisms operate, substantially as described.

13. A signal-box having a bolt-mechanism and a local-alarm mechanism and common controlling-means for said mechanisms, Which is arranged and adapted to serve as a holding-means for the local-alarm mechanism, and an actuating-means for the bolt-mechanism, and Which, When moved to release the local-alarm mechanism, actuates the bolt-mechanism, whereby the local-alarm is sounded concurrent with the actuation of the boltmechanism, substantially as described.

lt. A signal-box having a bolt-mechanism for its door, a local-alarm mechanism,

a controlling-means common to both, arranged, when in one position, to hold the local-alarm mechanism from operation, and when moved from such position to release the local-alarm mechanism and to also operate the bolt-mechanism, an actuating-spring for the local-alarm mechanism, and a winding-device therefor.

15. A signal-box having a bolt-meclr' anism, a local-alarm mechanism having an actuating-spring, common controllingmeans for said mechanisms, arranged to hold said local-alarm mechanism at rest and means to move said controlling-means to disengage said local-alarm mechanism and also place the controllinganeans under the action of said spring, whereby it is moved by said spring to operate the bolt-mechanism, substantially as described.

16. A signal-box having a bolt-mechanism, a local-alarm mechanism having an actuating-spring and winding-device connected with said spring, common controlling-means for the local-alarm mechanism and bolt-mechanism, which is arranged to hold the local-alarm mechanism at rest and is movable to disengage said local-alarm mechanism and operate the bolt-mechanism when the winding-device has been operated to wind the spring, and means associated with said winding-device for governing the movement of said controlling-means, substantially as described.

17. A signal-box having a bolt-mechanism, a local-alarm mechanism having an actuating-spring, common controlling-means for said mechanisms, which, in one position, locks the local-alarm mechanism, a windingdevice for said actuating-spring, and means arranged for operation by said winding-device to govern the movement of the controllingmeans to disengage the local-alarm mechanism and to operate the boltmechanism, substantially as described.

18. A signal-box having a b0lt-mechanism, a localalarm mechanism having an actuating-spring and winding-device for said spring, common controlling-means for said bolt-mechanism and said local-alarm mechanism, normally arranged to hold the localalarm mechanism at rest, and movable to disengage said mechanism to operate the bolt-mechanism, and to engage and hold the winding-device at rest, while said localalarm mechanism operates, substantially as described.

19. A signal-box having a bolt-mechanism, a local-alarm mechanism having an actuating-spring and winding-device for said spring, a common controlling-member for said mechanisms and the winding-device, the local-alarm mechanism and the winding-device having holding-means associated with them, arranged for cooperating engagement with said controlling-member, whereby movements of said member are positively governed and said mechanism and said device are alternately held while the other is operating, substantially as described.

20. A signalbox having a bolt-mechanism, a local alarm mechanism having an actuating-spring and a winding-device for said spring, a detent for alternately holding the local-alarm mechanism and the winding-de vlce at rest, while the other operates, and holding-members associated with said localalarm mechanism and windingdevice, which act cooperatively to hold said detent, respectively, in its different positions, said holding-members being movable independently of each other, permitting movement of said detent, and an arm movable with'said detent arranged for operating the boltmechanism, substantially as described.

21. A signal-boX having a bolt-mechanism and a local-alarm device with an actuatingsprmg connected at one end to operate said alarm-device and said bolt-mechanism, and means for winding said spring from the other end thereof.

22. A signal-box having a bolt-mechanism, a local-alarm mechanism with an actuatingspring, a locking-member for said localalarm mechanism having associated with it the operating-member of the bolt-mechanism, a winding-device for the actuatingspring arranged to control said lockingmember to permit operation of the localalarm mechanism, and in turn cause Operation of the bolt-mechanism, and also arranged to operate said looking-member to cause the operation of the bolt-mechanism in case the local-alarm mechanism fails to operate.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FREDERICK W. COLE.

Witnesses:

B. J. NoYEs, H. B. DAVIS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. 0. 

